HC Deb 01 February 1937 vol 319 cc1271-3
6. Mr. Day

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs particulars of the latest reports he has received from His Majesty's representatives on the conditions in Spain?

Mr. Eden

I have nothing to add to the reply which my Noble Friend gave to the hon. Member on 20th January, and to the full statement which I made in the course of the Debate on 19th January.

Mr. Thorne

Is it not true to say that General Franco is not making any headway at all?

Mr. Eden

I do not think that the hon. Member or myself are very good military experts. We can leave that to others.

11. Mr. A. Henderson

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether His Majesty's Government are satisfied that there has been no contravention by Germany of the international treaties relating to the Moroccan zone, in view of the refusal of the military commandant at Melilla to allow British naval officers access to the aerodromes?

Mr. Eden

As explained by my Noble Friend on 27th January, His Majesty's Government, after making such investigation as was possible, are not aware that any treaty to which they are partly regarding Morocco has been infringed.

Mr. Henderson

Is it the general rule to refuse to allow access to military aerodromes?

Mr. Eden

I understand that that is the general rule; I am not sure whether any particular request was made in this instance and, therefore, whether any particular refusal was received.

Mr. Henderson

Am I to understand that it is the general rule in all countries but not in Morocco?

Mr. Eden

I understand it is the general rule here.

13. Mr. Noel-Baker

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can give the House any information concerning the last meeting of the Non-Intervention Committee, and the proposals made in the notes from Germany and Italy concerning the despatch of volunteers from Spain?

Mr. Eden

The text of the notes recently addressed by the German and Italian Governments to His Majesty's Government have been made public. It will have been observed that both Governments declared themselves favourable in principle to the prohibition of the despatch of volunteers to Spain. His Majesty's Government have expressed their appreciation of the helpful nature of these and other replies. The replies which have now been received have been and are still under active consideration in the International Committee. I am not, however, able to add to the information contained in the Communiqués issued by the Committee itself.

Mr. Noel-Baker

Can the right hon. Gentleman give us an assurance that he will not agree to prohibition upon volunteers until there is also an effective system of control?

Mr. Eden

I should like the prohibition on volunteers to come as soon as possible and the effective control to follow within a few days, but what I would like is not always realised.

Mr. Noel-Baker

If there is to be prohibition on volunteers, without control, shall we not again have the same situation as there was previously, with one-sided observance at the expense of the Madrid Government?

Mr. Eden

The hon. Member's reflection has not escaped me.

Sir Nairne Stewart Sandeman

May we ask something about the Russian and French volunteers in Spain, and might we not get a recall of the whole lot?